Telegames Personal Arcade

[ApolloBoy]

Who's got one of these? I'm seriously considering getting one as a grad present, and I like the fact it can play SG-1000 games too.

[Rev. Rob]

Who's got one of these? I'm seriously considering getting one as a grad present, and I like the fact it can play SG-1000 games too.

 

I just got one on eBay. It hasn't come in the mail yet, but it's NOS, so it should be in good condition. I also bought two SG-1000 games for it... neither have arrived yet either, but that was Saturday.

 

As soon as I get it, I'll post some impressions here in this thread.

 

The only thing that sucks is that I don't believe it has a built in card catcher, and I can't find one anywhere, and I really need it for Ninja Princess.

[Pixelboy]

I have both the Telegames and the original Dina 2-in-1, and they're both essentially the same, the only real difference being the AC adaptor required (which was sold separately, if you can believe it, there's no room in the box for it!). It does play CV games rather well (never had any SG-1000 games to test with), but I had more than my fair share of problems with these units.

 

On this console, for example, you don't select between channel 3 and 4 like on the original CV. There's a hidden screw under the system which you have to turn with a screwdriver in order to select the channel, which can be channel 2 to 13, IIRC. There's also another similar screw somewhere else under the unit, which does something else (can't remember what that is), and neither screws are marked in any way, so good luck not messing up your system. Aside from that, if you need to set the system to a different channel, just pray that the hole in the plastic casing is properly aligned with the channel-select screw, or else you'll have to disassemble the plastic casing in order to set the channel.

 

I have an ugly color bleeding problem (especially with white pixels) on one of my Dinas, which is probably related to the channel not being set perfectly. If your Telegames console is already set to a channel that doesn't get interference from TV signals, you should be okay, otherwise get ready for some headaches...

 

On a positive note, the controllers are nice, although they do feel a little cheap. Nintendo-quality products these are not.

[doubledown]

I got one recently and stock it does have to be on channel 13. Unfortunately for me that is my local ABC affiliate station which when the console is plugged in and hooked up to the tv acts as an antenna to help boost my tv station reception and screw me using the console. I have seen and read about adjusting the potentiometer, but I just opened up the console and modded it for composite video output. Pretty easy mod the Personal Arcade uses the same VDP as the Adam (TMS9918) which outputs composite video natively, I'm contimplating swapping the chip with the ColecoVision VDP (TSM9928) which outputs component video natively. Another problem with the console is that you can't use ColecoVision controllers with it, the wiring is different, but it looks like the main PCB has un-used spots for the ColecoVision controller decoder ICs which could potentially be added for compatability with them, but I'll have to get back to that later.

[christianscott27]

I own a Dina and I've got to give it an overall thumbs down, for reasons stated above and just the overall cheapness of the console. Its a really flimsy machine with stiff controls, I felt like I risked breaking it everytime I put a cartridge in it. I played the built in game "meteorites" a few times, other than that its just a hardcore collectors item. There were all sorts of rumors about it, some said the 2nd cart slot had been disabled. Then there was the one about a hurricane wiping out telegames warehouse and some damaged machines going on ebay, who knows just dont buy one expecting to give it heavy use.

[Vic George 2K3]

I owned one of those things, and didn't like:

 

1. there was NO active reset button for ColecoVision games

2. the gamepads flat out stink

3. you couldn't play games that used the keypad like you did on the CV

4. you could only play the system on channel 13

 

I ended up throwing it out along with my non-working Adam computer system.

[fishsandwich]

I kind of like it but it does feel cheap. The controllers are ALMOST good but not quite... weird and plasticky. I think the cord comes out the side or something like that. I really hate the CV controllers so I suppose it's a decent trade-off.

 

It was cool to plug in an SG-1000 cart (Congo Bongo) and see instant success.

 

Not that I play the darn thing anymore. I have a multicart somewhere but it's been ages.

[ApolloBoy]

I've decided not to get the Personal Arcade, after some thought. Instead, I'm going to get a Japanese SMS (which can play SG-1000 games). FM music here I come...

[Video]

I have both the Telegames and the original Dina 2-in-1, and they're both essentially the same, the only real difference being the AC adaptor required (which was sold separately, if you can believe it, there's no room in the box for it!). It does play CV games rather well (never had any SG-1000 games to test with), but I had more than my fair share of problems with these units.

 

On this console, for example, you don't select between channel 3 and 4 like on the original CV. There's a hidden screw under the system which you have to turn with a screwdriver in order to select the channel, which can be channel 2 to 13, IIRC. There's also another similar screw somewhere else under the unit, which does something else (can't remember what that is), and neither screws are marked in any way, so good luck not messing up your system. Aside from that, if you need to set the system to a different channel, just pray that the hole in the plastic casing is properly aligned with the channel-select screw, or else you'll have to disassemble the plastic casing in order to set the channel.

 

I have an ugly color bleeding problem (especially with white pixels) on one of my Dinas, which is probably related to the channel not being set perfectly. If your Telegames console is already set to a channel that doesn't get interference from TV signals, you should be okay, otherwise get ready for some headaches...

 

On a positive note, the controllers are nice, although they do feel a little cheap. Nintendo-quality products these are not.

COOL, would that work on the Dyna 2n1? Or an easy mod to make it work AV style? I mean, I've never managed to get an actual CV working, which is to bad, as it would be my favorite classic system for classic games if I could. But my Dyna's on channel 13 also, and it's slightly off, so it looses the channel as it runs or eomsehint.g

[Pixelboy]

COOL, would that work on the Dyna 2n1? Or an easy mod to make it work AV style? I mean, I've never managed to get an actual CV working, which is to bad, as it would be my favorite classic system for classic games if I could. But my Dyna's on channel 13 also, and it's slightly off, so it looses the channel as it runs or eomsehint.g

Yeah, all Dinas and Telegames are the same, essentially, so you should see the screw hole under the unit, and you should normally be able to set the channel with the proper screwdriver. Just pray that you don't mess something up...

 

As for AV mods, BTW, can't help you.

[Rev. Rob]

HELP!

 

I just got this thing in the mail and it won't power on! It was new in the box too.

 

Any suggestions?

 

Anyone know exactally what type of power supply to use?

[Rev. Rob]

HELP, HELP, HELP!

 

I just got one of these off of eBay minus the power supply. Anyone know what kind I need to get?

 

Thanks!

[Pixelboy]

HELP, HELP, HELP!

 

I just got one of these off of eBay minus the power supply. Anyone know what kind I need to get?

 

Thanks!

The one that came with my Dina 2-in-1 is a Bit Corporation Power Adaptor:

Model A 110A

Input: AC 127V / 60 Hz

Output: + 5V 900mA, +12V 300mA, -5V 100mA

 

That's for the original Dina, not the Telegames model. The Telegames model uses a much safer power supply model, but I can't seem to find it in my stuff, so I can't help you there. All I can tell you is that I bought my Dina and Telegames units from Atari2600.com. Perhaps they can help you out...

[mumbai]

All I can tell you is that I bought my Dina and Telegames units from Atari2600.com. Perhaps they can help you out...

You can try asking Joe, but I believe he only has as many power supplies on hand as match actual units, and so likely won't have any to spare.